MexicanTiles.com Your Online Source for Talavera Mexican Tiles

About Talavera Mexican Handcrafted Tile

MexicanTiles.com's Talavera ceramic tile is the most extensive and elaborated collection we offer. The tile is 100% handcrafted, hand glazed, and hand painted. It has its origins in 17th century Mexico with the arrival of the Spaniards, who introduced new methods of tile and pottery making; given birth to the name: Talavera tile or pottery. The name Talavera was given to this new form of ceramics to honor the Spanish craftsmen, who were from the town of Talavera De La Reina Spain, and introduced the new industry to Mexico. Talavera De La Reina, Spain is a city which has a reputation for its exquisite ceramic pottery and tile.

Talavera tile has been used extensively in the central colonial cities of Mexico since its origins in 1656, embellishing cathedrals, public spaces, and private luxurious haciendas. Most recently from New York to Miami to California, architects, designers and homeowners in the United States are utilizing Talavera tile to decorate private homes, office buildings, public plazas, luxurious retreats, hotels, and restaurants. In fact, Talavera tile has existed in California since the 1920s due to the strong influence of Spanish Revival Architecture.

Ceramic Talavera handcrafted tile is a vital expression of Mexican culture, and one of its most original contributions to the world with Mexican, Spanish, Moorish, and Mediterranean influences. MexicanTiles.com offers a unique and vast collection of over 400 Mexican Talavera tile designs to choose from; some designs are available in the following sizes 2x2, 2x4, 3x3, 4x4, and 6x6 inch. Trim tile such as bull nose tile and quarter rounds are available in several different colors, along with moldings to complement our Mexican talavera tile collection. Handcrafted Mexican talavera ceramic tile achieves a level of old world craftsmanship that is elegant, and timeless; it can be used to cover an entire surface and influence the mood of a space. Whether your next project is in the kitchen or in the bathroom; use our tile and admire it for many years to come.

MexicanTiles.com is a unique company that specializes in handcrafted Mexican ceramic tile and Mexican Southwest style decor and accessories. Our dedicated focus allows us to offer you an unparalleled and extensive selection to choose from, and by specializing in this unique market we not only offer the best quality product, but we also keep most items in stock, which means that the wait time to receive your order from MexicanTiles.com is greatly reduced. It does not matter how complicated your tile project is we have all the Talavera tiles, trims, moldings, and accessories so the you can have a professionally done job. If we do not have a tile design or trim most likely we can make it. A close relation with our manufactures and importers allows to do this in a timely and efficient manner.

PLEASE NOTE: All sizes posted for our Mexican talavera tile on this website are nominal sizes (not actual size). Due to the handcrafted nature of our talavera tiles their ACTUAL SIZE is approximately 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 in.

Also, note that the height and length of a tile may not be the same. Measurements within a tile may vary by as much as 1/8 in. Handcrafted Mexican Talavera tiles are not perfectly square.

Decorating with Talavera Mexican Tile

The Mexican motif is about deep rich colors - reds, cobalt blues and dark yellow. The colors are earth tone, and warm conveying a welcome and comfortable ambience. Think about adding some colorful Mexican tile to your kitchen back splash, bathroom walls, stair risers, or fireplace to liven things up. Your colors are a vital piece of your overall decor, yet many people are afraid to tile their walls in anything but white. If you really want a great look - try adding deep rich color to your bathroom or kitchen with Mexican tile from Mexicantiles.com

How to install Wall Talavera Mexican Tile

Mexican ceramic tile provides a beautiful, long lasting wall that's easy to take care of and is almost impossible to mark or stain. You can install wall talavera tiles literally any place you want to be able to enjoy their beauty, but the obvious locations are in kitchens such as backsplashes or countertops, and in bathrooms and showers. Other places where Mexican ceramic tile can be use are tabletops, , floor inserts, baseboards or most wall commercial applications.

At Meixicantiles.com we have tile available in many sizes, all the way from 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 6x6, 2x4 and other square inch all the way up to 12x12 inches. They also come in a wide range of colors that can tie in with any decor.

Preparing the Wall.

Mexican ceramic tiles can be installed directly on drywall, plaster, or if they are in moist areas, onto "green" drywall or even better cement backer board. Green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms. It's as easy to work with as ordinary drywall, but it's specially formulated to resist moisture. Its best use is in a kitchen or bathroom where the environment will get moist, but not where it will actually be exposed to water.

Laying Out Your Mexican Tile Pattern.

Find the center of your wall and use a carpenter's level to mark intersecting plumb (vertical) and level (horizontal) lines. Dry fit the first row of tiles starting at the center and working your way to the ends of the wall. You want the tiles at both row ends to be approximately the same size, so you may have to adjust your vertical reference line to make them match up.

Installing Mexican Tile.

Starting in the center, on one side of your reference line, apply a coat of tile setting adhesive to an area about 3' by 3' square. Take care not to cover your lines. Spread the adhesive with the smooth side of your notched trowel and then go over it with the notched side to create ridges in the adhesive.

Firmly press each Mexican tile in place and give it a slight twisting motion to be sure it makes good contact with the adhesive. As you work your way along, place tile spacers on all four sides of each tile, so your grout lines will be consistent. Take your time and work on the wall in three square foot sections.

At the end of a row or around fixtures, you'll probably need to cut some tiles. A ceramic tile wet saw cutter is the easiest way to make your straight cuts. Using this tool, score the cut line on a full tile and then snap the tile along the scribed line.

Cutting irregular shaped tiles or around obstructions will require using "tile nippers." These are a heavy duty hand tool that you use to "nip" or bite off little pieces of a tile, one at a time, until you have cut the needed shape.

These tips are meant as a helpful resource. Mexicantiles.com is not responsible for any wrong installation, misuse, or damaged caused by the direct or indirect use of the content in this article. MexicanTiles.com strongly suggests consulting a licensed contractor.

Grouting Mexican Tile

After the tiles have all been installed and the adhesive has set up (probably overnight), it's time to grout the tiles. Depending on the width of your grout lines, you will need to choose either sanded or un sanded grout. If the spaces between the tiles are bigger than 1/8", use sanded grout. (Sanded grout actually contains sand particles that help make the grout joint stronger.)

Remove all your tile spacers and mix the grout following manufacturer's directions. If you're grouting in a bathroom or kitchen area, be sure your grout includes a waterproofing agent. Ask or read the manufacturer information to be sure you get the right grout.

Using a rubber float, apply the grout at a 45-degree angle to the grout lines. Press firmly; you want to get grout all the way down to the bottom of the seams. Work in your 3' x 3' areas to be sure you get uniform coverage of all the grout lines. Wipe off any excess grout with a wet sponge and clear water.

After the grout has had about 30 minutes to dry, go back over sections with a soft cloth and buff away any grout haze.

Finishing the Installation of Mexican Tile

Let the grout dry for a day and again buff away any grout haze that has appeared. If your wall is in a kitchen or bathroom, use a mildew resistant silicone caulk to seal the edges of the ceramic tile section where it meets the counter or top of the tub.

WARNING: Some products sold in this store contain detectable amounts of lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Lead may be present in glazed ceramics. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov